Tim Kazurinsky | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Timothy James Kazurinsky March 3, 1950 Johnstown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, screenwriter, improviser |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Spouse | Marcia Lynn Watkins |
| Website | www |
Timothy James Kazurinsky (born March 3, 1950) is an American actor and screenwriter best known as a cast member and writer on Saturday Night Live and for his role as Carl Sweetchuck in the Police Academy films.
Kazurinsky was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. His father, who was American-born, was of Polish descent, and his mother was an Australian war bride.[1][2] He spent most of his childhood in Australia, where he attended Birrong Boys High School. When he was 16, he moved to America by himself. He completed his education, graduating from Greater Johnstown High School in 1967.[3]
Kazurinsky worked as a reporter for the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, then as a copywriter for a St. Louis, Missouri, department store. He moved to Chicago and began working for Leo Burnett Worldwide in its advertising department. Seeking to gain confidence presenting ad pitches, Kazurinsky enrolled in an improv class at The Second City, where he became a member of the mainstage troupe in 1978, refining his improvisation and acting chops under the tutelage of Del Close. Eventually, Kazurinsky caught the attention of Saturday Night Live luminary John Belushi who recommended him to the show's then-executive producer, Dick Ebersol. Ebersol was impressed with Kazurinsky and hired him as a writer and cast member in 1981.
During his three seasons on SNL, Kazurinsky was known for playing numerous characters as well as doing celebrity impersonations. Fellow cast members included Eddie Murphy, Joe Piscopo, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Mary Gross. Kazurinsky was part of the show's 1984 writing team nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program. There were reports that he often clashed with Dick Ebersol regarding the show's creative direction. In 1984, Kazurinsky left SNL along with Piscopo.
Kazurinsky had a small part as a photographer in the 1980 Christopher Reeve/Jane Seymour film Somewhere in Time. At the insistence of his friend John Belushi, he played Pa Greavy in the 1981 Belushi/Aykroyd comedy Neighbors. Shortly after departing Saturday Night Live, Kazurinsky co-wrote About Last Night... based on David Mamet's one act play, Sexual Perversity in Chicago. The film starred Rob Lowe, Demi Moore and Jim Belushi and was directed by Edward Zwick. A remake of About Last Night was released in 2014 starring comedian Kevin Hart. Kazurinsky famously portrayed Officer Carl Sweetchuck in Police Academy 2, 3 and 4.
In the 1990s, Kazurinsky guest starred in Married... with Children, Early Edition and Police Academy: The Series. In the 2000s, Kazurinsky wrote for and guest starred in comedy series such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, What About Joan?, Still Standing and According to Jim. In 2001, he wrote the screenplay for Strange Relations, a film starring Paul Reiser, George Wendt, Julie Walters, and Olympia Dukakis. The screenplay was nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award as well as a BAFTA. Kazurinsky played a supporting role in the 2011 Zombie Army Productions film, The Moleman of Belmont Avenue, which also featured Robert Englund.
As a stage actor, Kazurinsky appeared as Felix in The Odd Couple (opposite George Wendt's Oscar), Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray, and Peter Quince in William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Kazurinsky's work in Chicago theatre has been recognized by two Joseph Jefferson Award nominations. In February 2014, Kazurinsky joined the first National Tour of the hit musical Wicked in the role of The Wizard, replacing John Davidson.[6] Kazurinsky finished his run on in March 2015 when the First National Tour closed. In May 2015, Kazurinsky made his Broadway debut alongside Jim Parsons and Christopher Fitzgerald in a limited run of David Javerbaum's new comedy, An Act Of God, directed by Joe Mantello between May and August 2015 at Studio 54.[7]
Kazurinsky and George Wendt reunited for the September 2015 world premiere of Bruce Graham's comedy, Funnyman at Chicago's Northlight Theatre. The production was directed by BJ Jones.[8] In December 2016, Kazurinsky appeared as Frosch the jailer in Music Theatre Works' production of Johann Strauss II' operetta Die Fledermaus.
Kazurinsky was one of a few people to film Prince's now-legendary impromptu performance of Let's Go Crazy at the SNL40 after party in February 2015. The video went viral following Prince's death in 2016 and was shared by numerous media outlets.[9]
In 2017, Kazurinsky played the recurring role of Judge Emerson on NBC's Chicago Justice, and appeared as Father Timothy in Netflix's original series, Easy.
Kazurinsky lives outside Chicago with his wife, Broadway actress Marcia Watkins (On Your Toes, A Chorus Line). Kazurinsky has a daughter, Zoe, and a son, Pete.[citation needed]
Written with Denise DeClue:
Solo work:
